[1] In the surreal universe of Yellow Submarine, The Blue Meanies attempt to silence and occupy Pepperland, an underwater utopia filled with color and music.

[2] The Blue Meanies launch an attack on Pepperland, a paradise where music and peace reign, in an attempt to crush its spirit.

Old Fred journeys to Liverpool, where he meets the Beatles, whom he enlists for help, since, as musicians, they would be able to restore harmony (and, indeed, melody) to Pepperland.

The Meanies, in his absence, cause the lovely and colourful Pepperland to turn into a very grey, dull, and oppressive place, wrought with thorns and thistles.

A flamboyant character with a high-pitched voice, he is set on conquering Pepperland and ruling with fear and oppression; he is a supreme despot given to psychotic tantrums and violent mood swings.

Pepper's Lonely Hearts' Club Band, who play music in this peaceful and colorful world, where all the natives generally behave in a friendly manner towards one another.

The soundproof glass sphere covers the band, making their music inaudible, and in their panic to run away, the natives are fired at by the Blue Meanies' guns, whose missiles both drain their victims' color on contact and seem to petrify them.

(After The Beatles' arrival to Pepperland, a sharp-toothed "Snapping Turtle Turk" eats a young girl's paper windmill on purpose just to make her cry.)

After the Beatles finally arrive in Pepperland, the Chief Blue Meanie is incensed when he sees the hills and trees returning to their proper colors at the sound of their music; he sends his fiercest weapon, "the Dreadful Flying Glove", after the heroes.